Bridal Spotlight – Lacie + Eric

Name of Bride/Groom: Lacie & Eric

Wedding Date: 6/16/2012

♥Venue Location: Our Lady of Grace Church/Flickertail Gardens, Minot, ND

♥Rehearsal Dinner Location: Holiday Inn, Minot ND
♥Bridal Gown Designer: Jasmine Bridal
♥Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff
♥Tux Provider: Won free tuxes through an online contest, Franklin & Gower
♥Wedding Theme: Casual, laid-back, family affair

♥Videographer: Digital Keepsakes (based out of Hazen, ND)
♥Photographer: Otis & James (based out of Minot, ND)

 

Proposal: For my 21st birthday, Eric had surprised her with a homemade scrapbook including all the things we had done together: tickets for sporting events, pictures of things that corresponded to dates we had, and other fun mementos. Fast forward 2.5 years, and Eric used this book to propose to me after surprising me with an update to the book with the last page of “Will you Marry Me?” I was in complete shock and so excited! After the shock wore off, the wedding planning began!

Describe your Heartstrings Shopping Experience: All of my 7 bridesmaids had a different body type: one was almost 5’8”, and another was barely 5’, some needed the support of straps on their dresses, some were fine with a strapless dress. Because of these differences, I made the choice early on to let each girl choose her own dress from my designer of choice, Bill Levkoff. This designer offers dozens and dozens of dress choices in a handful of different fabrics. I decided to go with the charcoal type color in chiffon short dresses. When the time came for my girls to choose their dresses, they each were able to pick from around 30 designs that would suit their needs. Each girl ended up with a beautiful knee-length dress in the charcoal & chiffon specifications that I chose, but they were each able to find something that they felt comfortable and unique in.

Wedding Day Highlights: The morning of the wedding looked gray and very windy, which was a worry since we were hoping to have the dance in the outdoor portion of our reception venue. Pictures were windy, dinner was windy, but as soon as the dinner was cleared away and we were moving out towards the outdoor dance floor, the wind died away and we were left with a beautiful evening of dancing outside! It was perfect!

Another great memory was speech given by my maid of honor and sister, Taylor, and my best friend since high school, Tia. Taylor started of alone, saying nice things about Eric and I. Then, just as I thought she was finishing up, my friend Tia joiner her for a rap to Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince of Bel Aire” all about Eric and I’s relationship throughout the years. It goes without saying I was thoroughly impressed, and equally as embarrassed! It was amazing! We had a videographer, luckily, so he was able to capture the whole thing for us to relive forever.

Favorite Memory of the Wedding Day: Realizing that all the hard we had put into the day was all coming together and we had the day we had imagined, but it was so much better! The weather turned out great, even after a shaky start. After a nightmare at the hair salon where 3 bridesmaids and I left in shock at how terrible our hair looked but having no time or patience
to argue, we went back to the church and with the help of my two amazing personal attendants, and 1 amazing cousin we were able fix everyone up to look amazing for the big day.

A Funny Story or Blooper That Happened on Your Big Day: Our unity candy wouldn’t light, so we just had to blow the two candles out mom’s lit out so they wouldn’t melt all over the stands and start a fire. It was a “serious part” of the ceremony and everyone was watching us up front, but we couldn’t stop laughing. Embarrassing, but a good memory!

A Piece of Wedding Advice for New Brides: Don’t procrastinate and don’t let anyone tell you what you “should” be doing. No one knows what you want but you and your finance, so don’t let anyone bully you into doing something the way they think it should be done. After all, it’s YOUR wedding and you two are the ones who will live with those memories. Also, if you can fit it in the budget, hire a videographer. Some people will think it’s not necessary and you don’t have to find a uber-expensive professional, but pictures will be great to hang on the wall, but a video will capture everything: voices, speeches, laughs, EVERYTHING! The memories and little bits and pieces of the day will slowly fade away in your memory, but you can always pull out the video and remember exactly how your husband sounded when he slipped up in his vows, or how great your maid-of-honor’s speech was!

Introducing: Bridal Gown of the Month! – Allure 9065

Today we’d like to introduce a new type of post on our blog: Bridal Gown of the Month! Our goal with this feature is to not only introduce you to fashion forward gowns from today’s top designers, but also show you the full picture of two ways we imagine this bridal gown to be styled. Without further ado, this month’s featured gown is Allure Bridals style 9065!

Allure’s describes this gown as “An exquisite ball gown in rich, soft satin. The strapless bodice features a sweetheart neckline, delicate ruching, and Swarovski crystals at the waistline.” One look at the picture of this gown and we agree: exquisite!

This soft satin ball down dances the line beautifully between the traditional and modern with it’s clean lines and on-trend belt, and full, traditional ballgown shape.

This gown will not only show off the bride’s shoulders with its sweetheart neckline but it will also compliment her natural beauty with its minimal embellishments. Also, this gown’s shape and waist centered belt and ruching will make any bride’s waist look itty-bitty on her big day.

Because of the relative simplicity of the gown, a bride will be free to choose to go either big and spectacular with a necklace and drop earrings, or go more simple by skipping the necklace and choosing a gorgeous, sparkly pair of earrings to match her left-hand ring!

The back of the gown is just as spectacular as the front, with button detail extending to the bottom of the train and belt that wraps around to give the bride sparkle from every angle.

Long, loose waves or a high ballerina bun ala Hilary Duff would be gorgeous with this dress to keep with the more modern, trendy, and natural feel. For a more traditional look, up-swept curls or a low chignon would complement the style and show off the bride’s back and shoulders.

Whichever way the bride styles this gown, it will be elegant and eye-catching from top to bottom!

This gown, which has just arrived at our store (eek!), comes in sizes 2-32, in White/Silver, Diamond White/Silver, Champagne/Silver. Due to Allure online pricing rules, we are not able to display prices, but please give us a call at 952-932-9090 for pricing and ordering details. We’d love to help you find the dress of your dreams!

Photo Credits:

Allure 9065: http://allurebridals.com/products/9065 // Down Long Hair: http://www.foreverphotographystudio.com/blog/ Image via: http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/685158/ //Chignon: http://rosewaterblush.tumblr.com/post/44158923124 // Color Necklace: Photography: Dette Snaps. Image via: http://www.middleofthemapweddings.com/2012/11/02/floral-friday-succulents-and-protea/ // Earrings: Mariell 342E – Available at Heartstrings Bridal!

Just a Touch of Gold

Photobooths, chevron, emerald, gold accents, oh my! What do these four things have in common? Current wedding trends, of course!

The trend that jumps out at us today is the recent resurgence in the use of the color gold in weddings. From gold leaf covered cake toppers to gold-glittered peep toes, the wedding world is gaga for gold!

Beyond the obvious ways to bring in gold to your wedding (gold wedding bands, gold charger plates, gold silverware), adding gold in unexpected places will set your wedding apart from the rest.

Complementing the springy palette of soft pinks and warm greens, gold is a great way to add some glitter to your occasion without covering everything in sequins (talk about messy cleanup!).

For the do-it-yourself brides, a gold tinged manicure for the big day is an easy and subtle way to add gold to the mix. Also, gold leaf kits are sold at most craft stores and can easily turn any object into a glittering gold cake topper or decoration!

Gold can even be brought into your wedding ensemble! Gold toned wedding gowns are on the rise as well as gold jewelry, beaded sashes, and eye makeup.

There you have at it ladies and gents! Go create that gold themed Pinterest board and fill it with beautiful and easy ways to add a little gold to your big day. Make sure to take pictures, we’d love to see your glittering results!

Photo Credits:

Cake: colincowieweddings.com  // Table & Chair: Photography: Kristyn Hogan / Event design, styling, floral and decor: Cedarwood Weddings // Nails: Glamour.com // Placecards: http://www.kthompsonphotography.com

Bridesmaids Sale

Hurry in this week and save big on your designer bridesmaids dress!  Save 25% on our in store pricing or an extra 5% with our online code PLUS5 at checkout.  This sale only happens twice a year.  Call 952-932-9090 for your appointment or to place your order.

Is your bridal salon full service?

Buying a wedding gown is not easy.  There are so many options out there for dresses, designers, salons, and even services.  Each bridal salon operates differently and offers its brides different service options with their gowns.  Some salons will offer the bare minimum.  The dress will be shipped into the store and you will be called to pick it up.  Other salons are known as “full service.”   Here are just some of the services that can be provided for full service:

• Dress steaming/pressing.  Bridal gowns are shipped in boxes to stores and definately need to be steamed to remove the wrinkles and make the gowns presentable.  At this time a lot of salons will also provide an in house inspection of the gown to ensure there are no manufacturer’s flaws.  This service is oftentimes included with full service salons.  To purchase it seperately can cost upwards of $40-100 in some cases.  Steaming can also be done on other gowns such as bridesmaids, mothers, and flower girls.
• Storage.  Do you have a safe place at home that your gown wont be damaged by pets, roomates, family members, or be safe from the fiance’s view?  If not, storage can be a very valuable ammenity for a bride. Some smaller stores may charge a flat or monthly fee to store a gown, and some do it for free.  Please note that some stores will not allow you to re-store a gown once you have taken it out of the store. Storage can run anywhere from $10-$50 per month.
• Alterations.  Almost every gown needs to have some type of alterations done to it to ensure a perfect fit for the bride.  It could be taking it in the sideseams, a bustle, cups, hem, and more.  Some stores have their employees that are seamstresses that do the work at their stores, some have outside contractors that do the work but will meet you at their store, and some have referrals only to outside vendors.  Having your alterations completed by someone who is familiar with your designer, dress, and has altered many gowns before could save you time and money and will ensure your dress is ready for you to walk down the isle.  Alterations typically run $30-$500 depending on your needs.
• Customer service.  When you visit a full service bridal salon, a consultant is there to help you pick out your gown, choose options and size you to your closest size on the manufacturers chart.  They will walk you through the entire process.  When your dress comes in they inspect your merchandise and report any issues to the manufacturer and act as an intermediary to solve any issues.

These are just a few things to consider when buying your gown from a salon. Heartstrings Bridal has prided itself on offering brides a free initial steaming when your dress comes in, free storage for your bridal gown, and an on-site contracted seamstress that can help tailor your gown as well as provide excellent customer service.  All of these services are value-added and are included with the intial purchase of your bridal gown, so while it may seem like you are saving money on the front end by purchasing your gown online or at a non full service salon, you will end up paying for those same services on the back end of your bridal gown purchase and will often have to spend more time and money on doing the research and visiting multiple locations to find those services.

Trunk Show Surprise!

Don’t forget about our Allure Trunk Show!

That’s right folks! Coming up in December we will be having an Allure Trunk Show. It will run from December 28th through December 31st.

Allure will be featuring some of their brand new gowns at Heart Strings Bridal. You will be able to try on gowns that we either do not carry normally, won’t be getting from the new collection or just don’t have yet. You don’t want to miss this! On top of having their here, we will be offering a 10% discount on all Allure gowns old and new alike. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to get your gown at a discount. You won’t find them less expensive anywhere else!

Never been to a trunk show? Come see what all the hype is about. Stop in or schedule an appointment at 952-993-9090!

Hours of trunk show:

Wednesday 28th- 11-7

Thursday 29th-     11-8

Friday 30th-         11-5

Saturday 31st-      9-4

(Saturday by appointment only.)

Congrats Kristine Cunningham!

Kristine and Brian’s wedding is featured online in Minnesota Bride online and we are so happy to be able to share their link.  Kristine was one of the sweetest brides we have had the pleasure of working with and we wish them a lifetime of happiness together.  Here is the link to check out her dress, rental items, and more provided by Heartstrings Bridal. Congrats!!

http://mnbride.com/real-weddings/kristine-brian